Electronically controlled LED lamps glowing when off.

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  • Опубліковано 19 тра 2016
  • LED lamps (and some fluorescent ones) may glow or flash when they're supposed to be off when used with electronic switching devices like solid state relays and dimmers. Here's why.
    The main reason is usually the snubber network across a triac. This is usually a resistor and capacitor connected in series and appllied across the main terminals of the triac to attenuate sudden high speed glitches and transients that could result in the triac turning on when it wasn't supposed to. Triacs have a characteristic called DV/DT Where the D stands for delta, meaning "change in" so the characteristic relates to change in voltage / change in time. This relates to the triacs ability to turn off or remain off when a rapidly rising waveform is applied across it, like a pulse or transient. Typical values for a snubber network are 100 ohms and 100nF. Normally with a heavy load the capacitive coupling through the snubber network is not an issue as it gets shunted by the load. But with very low loads like LED lamps or small motors it may cause a situation where a lamp keeps glowing dimly or a small effects motor keeps running or shuddering slightly.
    In some cases you can solve the problem by using another snubber network across the load as it then forms a divider with the one across the triac, and that can lower the leakage voltage to a level that the affected loads will not light or move.
    A common approach to solving this issue in the theatre industry is to use a ghost load where a traditional lamp is used to load down a dimmer circuit controlling a small effect, and also help ensure the channel turns on properly, as triacs need a minimum holding current to remain latched.
    If you enjoy this channel you can help support it with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random technical stuff at / bigclive
  • Наука та технологія

КОМЕНТАРІ • 422

  • @plum_bit
    @plum_bit 8 років тому +75

    I don't understand electronics at all, but i find myself coming back to watch more. Maybe it's the soothing voice and gentle accent, but i've spent hours watching these videos

    • @ThePeacePlant
      @ThePeacePlant 8 років тому +6

      +Plum Bit Your comment is tripping me out. I was honestly about to write the exact same thing in the comments.

    • @plum_bit
      @plum_bit 8 років тому +2

      Snootches Bootches Maybe we find it therapeutic ha

    • @ThePeacePlant
      @ThePeacePlant 8 років тому +5

      +Plum Bit I believe so. Ill probably come out of this with some knowledge of the organs of electronics as well , which is great.

    • @trustnoone81
      @trustnoone81 8 років тому +8

      +Plum Bit I know nothing about electronics and next-to-nothing about electrical engineering. However, after having seen several of Clive's videos, I've started to become less and less confused when he traces circuit diagrams. I've started to learn to expect where _bridge rectifiers_ or _smoothing capacitors_ are going to show up. Microcontrollers still throw me, though. To say nothing of TRIACs.

    • @BoB4jjjjs
      @BoB4jjjjs 6 років тому

      Yes he has a smoothing voice and he does not cut a lot out of his videos, this I do like, I hate it when there is so much cut out you have to try to put together what they have done. Clive has a way of getting it over what he is talking about and the schematics with explanation is very good way of doing it.
      If you watch enough of his videos you will start to pick things up, even if you have never worked with electronics. I like it when he moves on to do simple circuits other than lamps. Maybe he will explain what a Diode, Resistor, capacitor, Electrolytic capacitor does, though I think he did this in an earlier video

  • @TheDisorderly1
    @TheDisorderly1 8 років тому +51

    Can I suggest a video where you experiment with a couple of solutions to this problem? I know you suggested some things to try but it would be neat to see them in action and I think it would get a bunch of views.

  • @caintetsuo990
    @caintetsuo990 8 років тому

    I've got to thank you Clive, I put in a ceiling fan recently and the LED bulb would always stay on at a low level after switching it off and I thought it was a fault with the fan. I swapped the bulb for a halogen one (seems they don't sell incandescent bulbs anymore) and it works perfectly. This video saved me the effort of taking the whole thing out and replacing it for no reason so thank you!

  • @JuanHerrero
    @JuanHerrero 8 років тому +22

    7:40
    >capacitor (draws resistor) and resistor (draws capacitor)
    Well played sir.

    • @MIW_Renegade
      @MIW_Renegade 7 років тому +1

      Juan Herrero lol

    • @fizzicist7678
      @fizzicist7678 7 років тому

      oh well, at least it is a linear system :)

    • @kareno8634
      @kareno8634 7 років тому

      Juan Herrero - i was going to say something about that tho Still Learning,; But See - I Am Learning from Clive!!

  • @bami2
    @bami2 8 років тому +74

    I come here for electronics, not art class. You can draw shitty schematics all day, as long as you explain what they do :)

    • @97Giorgos97
      @97Giorgos97 8 років тому +1

      :)

    • @brianallen9810
      @brianallen9810 8 років тому +2

      +bami2 Lurid...love that.

    • @aldergate-ca
      @aldergate-ca 4 роки тому

      I laughed out loud when he talked about the drawing being let's say off standard.

  • @Markkyboy1
    @Markkyboy1 8 років тому

    Cool, a channel worth watching!, thanks man!
    Loving those dulcet Scottish tones and the information and ideas you provide in your vids, keep it up, you got me interested in electronics again!
    Regards and greetings from south east UK! :)

  • @ItsAlwaysRusty
    @ItsAlwaysRusty 8 років тому

    I'm so glad you put this up. It explains why some of the LED lights I put into my truck interior lights never completely go off.. couldn't use them. Can't figure a way to fix it even with your helpful suggestion.. Take Care

  • @tesla500
    @tesla500 8 років тому +21

    One of those quack power saving devices (PFC capacitor) connected in parallel with the lamp would probably stop the flickering/glowing, without taking much power. Hey, they may actually be useful!

  • @ThePillenwerfer
    @ThePillenwerfer 8 років тому +22

    Thanks for the warning about SS relays leaking enough juice to bite.

  • @bloombrewingCo.
    @bloombrewingCo. 4 роки тому

    WOW, Thanks ! I just spent 2 hours trying to figure out why my SSR was showing "almost" full voltage across the Output side, when NO input was present.....
    I thought I wired it wrong...and you showed me what I had an assumption about - SSR are NOT "Old Fashioned" coil relays that make a NICE noise when opening and closing!

  • @Spiderelectron
    @Spiderelectron 8 років тому

    I had a CFL in my bedroom, standard UK house wiring, no relay, no dimmer, and it would flash about once every 5 minutes when switched off. Thanks for explaining why it was happening! 👍

  • @jawladar
    @jawladar 8 років тому

    I have that glow problem with my X10 controlled wall switch controlling 5 kitchen spots. Initially I installed fluorescent and now Led bulbs. Intuitively I installed one incandescent with the fluorescents and continued when I swapped them for the LEDs. Both types needed the incandescent. Now I know why the problem occurred. Thanks for the enlightenment.

  • @arkiskewl
    @arkiskewl 8 років тому +3

    Clive it would be really great if you could do a follow up where you test potential methods of fixing the issue, since it is so common now with household dimmers and LED lamps. Would be interested to see for each potential fix -- snubber network, just a high value resistor, etc. -- the current draw when "off", the waste heat generated, etc. Thank you!

  • @ericwolff6059
    @ericwolff6059 8 років тому

    Thank you Clive, this has been very very helpful. I have three DMX controlled power junction boxes. Each box has four three-pin-plugs. The boxes, and each plug therein is controlled by a separate DMX controller, which consists of twelve on/off buttons, (so I can run a maximum four boxes of four plugs each.). I've been using them to run a number of LED lights such as Chauvet Swarms, Mini Kinta, Mushroom, spots, and a number of others, for dances and parties. I have never been able to figure out why many of them keep flashing when they were meant to be off, yet work fine when turned on. I had to revert to using normal electric multi plug junction boxes and switching them on manually. I just tried experimenting with a double adaptor, with one outlet going to an LED light and the other to a standard 60W lamp. There was no flashing with both plugged in, but when I unplugged the lamp, the LED started to flash. Once again, thank you. Now I've got to figure out a way of putting a load on to each plug that's the equivalent of a 40~60 watt bulb.

  • @aa-jq9qe
    @aa-jq9qe 8 років тому +1

    Hey Clive, big up from Finland!

  • @lazerusmfh
    @lazerusmfh 8 років тому

    thanks for giving me info on the! I bought a 100 pack of the clear wago connectors. these look awesome!! thanks guys.

  • @shemp308
    @shemp308 8 років тому

    you answered a long time question! I have and have used for years x10 dimmer modules for remote control and computer timers. now with regular light bulbs nothing but with CFL or led they all flicker. now it scared the £@#$ out of me at 3 am. but I am so used to it now I have a night light! thanks.

  • @Seegalgalguntijak
    @Seegalgalguntijak 8 років тому

    That was interesting, thanks! I think with the continuous spread of LED lamps, we will have to adapt our electronics to them, so change the whole design of dimmers/solid state relays and so on. It's often like that when you change one part without changing the others.

  • @InsanePsychoRabbit
    @InsanePsychoRabbit 7 років тому +24

    If that's a knock-off of a Fotek, would that make it a Fauxtek?

    • @fletchergiovanni153
      @fletchergiovanni153 3 роки тому

      i realize I'm quite randomly asking but does anyone know of a good place to stream newly released tv shows online?

  • @RicoGalassi
    @RicoGalassi 8 років тому

    I've been hooked on your videos for the past month now and I don't know why....maybe its your intense knowledge on electronics or maybe it's your interesting accent. either way, i don't plan on stopping watching your videos!!

  • @Pineappleparty
    @Pineappleparty 8 років тому

    I love these videos, I feel smarter every time I watch them.
    Thank you for making me feel smart!

  • @bradbilbo6696
    @bradbilbo6696 8 років тому

    I think the last solution was probably the best. include a higher power rated bulb or device in the sequence with a higher power requirement to shunt the leakage to a device that acts as a threshold to the system. Good video.

  • @gamerpaddy
    @gamerpaddy 8 років тому +5

    had that problem on a CFL, after it was one for a while. every few minutes it flashed very slightly. annoying when youre laying in bed and see this trough your peripheral vision...

  • @jamesgrimwood1285
    @jamesgrimwood1285 8 років тому +11

    Our old house had a light fitting in our bedroom that had a small leakage current. I remember walking up one night to the CFL bulb in the fitting flashing. It wasn't constant flashing, just a really bright flash every few minutes, then a few quick flashes every so often.
    It was a bit freaky until I figured out what was going on. It was a bit like those stupid ghost hunting TV shows :-)

  • @ableutopia2721
    @ableutopia2721 8 років тому

    Thanks for your experience and clarification, most low cost SSR and dimmers will display same quirks. I wanted to energize a PWM fan array using the USB voltage to activate the solid state relay. Big failure, fans would just keep running at fractional speed with the relay control voltage removed. Two solutions found: Livolo active phantom load, or a PTC implementation.

  • @davidkroth
    @davidkroth 8 років тому

    Big Clive, I just bought one of these solid state relays to control a 1/2 hp electric motor. Any issues in that application?

  • @gonzostwin1
    @gonzostwin1 8 років тому

    I'm going to be making my own laundry detergent injection system, do you recommend 12vdc or 24vdc?

  • @poptartmcjelly7054
    @poptartmcjelly7054 8 років тому +38

    I guess you could just put a capacitor between live and nautral to fix this and save 30kW while you're at it.

  • @girlsdrinkfeck
    @girlsdrinkfeck 8 років тому

    is the worktop youre using just a generic shelf/worktop combo thing with interlocking legs etc ? the top of it looks like that boards that u put on top of them things

  • @ergewurze2607
    @ergewurze2607 4 роки тому

    Hi Clive, is it possible to eased the flickering when switch OFF if i replace the capacitor with the same value?

  • @Berkeloid0
    @Berkeloid0 5 років тому

    Found this out recently when I was using a solid state relay to control a neon transformer. Even when it was supposedly off, there was enough current going through the transformer to produce very tiny sparks when the output wires were a fraction of a millimetre apart. Luckily it didn't catch me by surprise, because I was also using the Cliff QuickTest and its neon indicator was also well lit even when the SSR was supposedly off!

  • @deadfreightwest5956
    @deadfreightwest5956 8 років тому

    My patio has a pair of remote control track light fixtures, each with 3 lamps. I replaced all with cheap LED bulbs, and they'd come on okay, but when off would strobe weakly. I replaced them with even cheaper but dimmable LED bulbs, and they work perfectly.

  • @DeadVenomMinecraft
    @DeadVenomMinecraft 8 років тому

    Very Interesting. I recently got some LED GU10 lamps for my room and noticed that when I dim them down they start flashing madly (faster the lower I go). But when I have a standard GU10 lamp in at the same time (non LED) the LED does not begin flickering until I turn the dimmer down far more.
    I also noticed that when I had two LED lamps in, after a while both the dimmer and the lamps themselves began buzzing. However after removing one it ceased. What are you thoughts on the cause of that? (This buzz only occured on sockets with a dimmer)

  • @josher3436
    @josher3436 4 роки тому

    Great video thanks Clive

  • @rimmersbryggeri
    @rimmersbryggeri 8 років тому

    So it's the snubber network that makes my GU10 LED lamps have a soft close on my dimmer for electronic transformer?

  • @casimirkonrad9590
    @casimirkonrad9590 5 років тому +2

    Possible solution: Put an X2 capacitator in parallel with the lamp as a bypass for the leaking current.
    NOT for dimmed lamps! Phase cutting produces harmonics. These higher frequencies will lead to dangerously high currents throug the capacitator when the lamp ist powered on.
    If a dimmed LED lamp glows or flickers when turned off, use a "Kompensator 6596" from Busch-Jaeger. This is just a PTC in a casing. Bypassing leaking current to neutral, it will get hot an highliy resistive when the lamp is switched on.

  • @nyc863
    @nyc863 8 років тому

    I have a coil fluorescent bulb in a fitting controlled with an everyday light switch.
    It flickers slightly when off.
    I don't think there is a solid state relay involved anywhere in this circuit. Where would be the leakage? could it be the a live wire laying in parallel with the cabling in the roof?

  • @chrislivengood7350
    @chrislivengood7350 4 роки тому

    In the off state I'm still getting like 80v (120v connection). Any ideas how to remedy? I'm supplying 5v to the input side.

  • @sarukmaktao225
    @sarukmaktao225 8 років тому

    I had set up a light system onto my car some time ago, and one circuit of it, (being two circuits in the system, controlled by the strobe controller) would sometimes just give a dull glow. Not always, I noticed, but sometimes, it would just barely glow one of the control lights. I'm guessing this is why? It's interesting, to say the least, but I thought something was horribly broken.

  • @sortofsmarter
    @sortofsmarter 6 років тому

    So i have what may be a doggy question. Is it possible to wire a PTC into the light circuit and have it create a load? I have a friend with a large number of recessed ceiling lights in his house ( 45 ) on 4 different 3 way digital dimmers and he wants to convert to LED but unless he leaves one incandescent in each circuit the whole lot all glow when there off. So my half brain idea was to install a 5 watt 80C 110v PTC heater, one on each circuit mounted to a heat sink inside the cans plugged into the circuit to create a slight dummy load. What do you think.....they generate less heat then the 150w max rating that the metal can it rated for was my thought...

  • @LightningGraphics
    @LightningGraphics 8 років тому

    So in what scenario would you use an SSR? Are they build into home lighting circuitry? Clive mentioned set lighting...

    • @bikingmnviking3801
      @bikingmnviking3801 8 років тому

      +Lightning Graphics He is kind of like Kramer from Seinfeld, remember when he bought home that TV set, couch and all?
      Besides clive is tall like Kramer, has a wild beard, and dances skittishly when jolted with the live mains. :)

  • @radry100
    @radry100 8 років тому

    What about dimmable leds? They should work fine, right?

  • @MeowMeowDeathRay
    @MeowMeowDeathRay 8 років тому

    I have a question. Is the bayonet type connectors more dangerous than the screw type?

  • @1ivansucic
    @1ivansucic 7 років тому

    Thank you for the detailed explanation! I was starting to belive that there are ghosts in my computers LEDs 0.o

  • @Muffin_Masher
    @Muffin_Masher 8 років тому

    I have this problem with cheap LED's I bought on Ebay, they were $1 each in boxes in 10 a few years ago, they work fine, but glow while off, Name brand LED globes bought locally (phillips etc... 5-6 bucks each) Do not do it, Do they have extra circuitry to avoid the problem? or do they just use enough power (6watts instead of 3 like the ebay globes) that they don't glow from the leakage?

  • @maintoc
    @maintoc 8 років тому

    Interesting stuff. Thanks for the explanation. :)

  • @rak3shpai
    @rak3shpai 8 років тому

    Clive, could you please make a video about driving triacs for use as switches and dimmers, and what typical practical circuits look like?
    Huge undimmed fan of your videos!

  • @ToxicScifi
    @ToxicScifi 8 років тому

    iv had two home bargains eco lamps fail very quickly clive, one smells of magic smoke, one was a colour changer, the non color changer has cracked the white coating like fault lines on a volcanic surface and the other seems to have oozed brown from the ir led, thoughts?

  • @Blakehx
    @Blakehx 8 років тому

    How can I make a dimmer? I have a cheap little desktop fan with just an on-off rocker switch but it's too strong and noisy! I'd like to be able to adjust it!

  • @IrishHitman79
    @IrishHitman79 8 років тому +1

    Whats the difference in using a fly-back diode or the RC in series used as a snubber?

    • @hellterminator
      @hellterminator 7 років тому +1

      You can't use a flyback diode here. This is AC. There is no “back,” current is _supposed_ to flow both ways.

  • @rogerd4559
    @rogerd4559 5 років тому

    How about placing a Zener diode in series with the snubber network?

  • @dand8282
    @dand8282 7 років тому +2

    Adding a plug-in transformer in parallel to the lamp (via a 1 to 3 outlet tap) seems to fix the issue without hooking anything up to the transformer output. A common old+heavy 5-12v DC "wallwort" is best; experiment to find the least vampiric one for your setup. They fix LED bulb issues with SSRs, dusk-to-dawn sensors, motion detectors, lit switches, etc.

  • @colt11mitsi
    @colt11mitsi 4 роки тому +1

    Clive could you do one of your great videos on building the snubber network to stop the flickering on the LED light and test it. Thanks

  • @docpaul
    @docpaul 8 років тому

    Thanks for the great video - any down side to removing the snubber network from the triac?

    • @bigclivedotcom
      @bigclivedotcom  8 років тому

      +docpaul May cause issues with some loads, and in the SSR it is usually potted in resin.

  • @ybunnygurl
    @ybunnygurl 8 років тому

    this answer some of my questions but not all of them. I have a chandelier with a dimmer I recently converted it to LED. I bought a new dimmer I installed it the way the instructions said to install it if you don't have a ground wire I installed dimmable LEDs but now everytime I turn it on it blinks you have to start it out at the dimist level then power it up to full or it just blinks. I'm starting to understand why it blinks but what I need to know is how to stop it.

  • @gd8610
    @gd8610 7 років тому

    what about having a master off switch before the dimmer to stop all eletrical flow when not wanted.

  • @idontwantachannelimjustcom7745
    @idontwantachannelimjustcom7745 8 років тому +1

    can you measure the leakage current and/or wattage?

  • @cmuller1441
    @cmuller1441 8 років тому

    +bigclivedotcom Have you tried to put an "energy saving" (just a big capacitor) between the live and neutral after the relay? it will act like a dropper and if the value is high enough, the ac voltage seen by the lamp will be negligeable when the relay is off and this will just change the power factor when on.

  • @SheepInACart
    @SheepInACart 8 років тому

    If your going for the one tungsten lamp as shunt for LED circuit concept, you can actually buy decorative large filament lamps. While technically these are much less efficient, they are not designed to light a room, so total current draw is often less, and they have a basically unlimited service life, which is cool given if it does fail, all your LED's will go back to either flashing randomly or glowing when ever the lights are turned off.

  • @Xx80Pedro08xX
    @Xx80Pedro08xX 8 років тому +6

    I could use a PTC resistor to solve the problem?

    • @zinobi
      @zinobi 8 років тому

      A ptc does indeed sound like a good solution.

  • @milanssite
    @milanssite 5 років тому

    does the seccond snubber network need to be of a spesific value? (can i use 100R100nf?) it drives me nuts that i have to connect a load (usualy first ting on hand is a par) that gets anoyingly hot, when the load your intersted in is so small
    i want to build a few "snubber plugs" instead of a conventional load :) (perhaps i need to build a fiew versions and pick the best one when neaded :P )
    kind regards,
    Milan Hofman

    • @bigclivedotcom
      @bigclivedotcom  5 років тому

      100 ohm and 100n would be a good starting point. Also include a high value resistor across the capacitor to discharge it. 1 Megohm should be fine. For an actual theatre dimmer you may need a low resistive load to make the circuitry stable. A traditional 60W lamp in a work light like a clip-on metal caged hand lamp is one option. A coloured lamp (even a UV style tungsten lamp) will also avoid light spill.

  • @vitaplex1
    @vitaplex1 8 років тому

    i have a light tubr thing in my room that barely flasjes when its off
    maybe it could be a current leakage but its like the current leakage drops and escalades rapidly

  • @DjResR
    @DjResR 8 років тому

    For tungsten lamps it is possible to use two 15W bulbs in series as a resistive load so the power usage is not that high and it takes decades for the bulbs to go eol.

  • @EyesOnReality
    @EyesOnReality 8 років тому

    Good video. Thanks for the detailed explanation. This reminds me of when using a CFL light and with a LED light plugged into to a socket wired to a old use Dimmer replaced wall switch, the CFL and LED lamps would flash even if the dimmer push-to-be-off was engaged. So irritating at night, the dimmer had to be replaced with the normal on/off switch. - I wonder if a pull-down to ground resistor (of some high value to not load down normal operation) between the 'snubber' capacitor and resistor would prevent the cap from charging and discharging in cycles. Yeah, its not worth the bother to modify the Solid State Relay but still in principle, I wonder if that would solve the issue.

  • @Carlp13
    @Carlp13 8 років тому

    I've had the same pulsing flashes with compact fluorecant bulbs when they have an illuminated switch in the circuit, when the switch is in the off position.

  • @simonhopkins3867
    @simonhopkins3867 8 років тому

    excellent video as usual :-)

  • @pinterelectric
    @pinterelectric 8 років тому +2

    I use a small 7 watt night light on my flashy blinky led bulbs with the motion detector wall switch. The led dimmers don't seem to have this problem.

    • @orangeshaw2370
      @orangeshaw2370 3 роки тому

      Good point: 👏
      A. The day night switch has an activation "time delay to eliminate nuisance switching" which effectively isolates the circuit during the light portions of the day. (ie. leakage current used to run a timer)
      You may still find that the LED's flicker/glow during the night if the motion sensor is bridged out.
      B.1) The leakage current could possibility be used as a backlight and illuminate the wall switch, or
      .2) charge a battery.
      C. 330nF Cap and 100 Ohm resistor, PTC or gas arrestor combination snubbers (from Line Out to Neutral) only divert the problem & make it seem to go away.
      (Inductors in series to the capacitance reduce the overall impedance)
      D.1) Double isolation: If regulations allow you could reduce the inherent "capacitance" of the circuit by using conductors WITHOUT earth and keep the lengths as short as possible.
      .2) National Regulations forbid the use of 50 Ohm impedance coax cable to reduce transients, due to the insulation material NOT being rated ≥500V/600V AC.
      {This is where uTube limits communication because we can't post circuits, photos, graphs & the like} 👎

  • @twopionerspeakersandtwomeg7576
    @twopionerspeakersandtwomeg7576 5 років тому

    Helpful drawing ever

  • @nicholaspratt7934
    @nicholaspratt7934 8 років тому

    Love the Wago connectors but prefer the 221s, smaller and easier to use.
    PS: Thanks for your posted videos.

  • @johnvine5731
    @johnvine5731 3 роки тому

    I tried putting a 47K 1/2 Watt resistor across the Live and Neutral wires, going to a 240V led bulb.
    After a few minutes the resistor got to around 48 centigrade, and was too hot to touch.
    The resistor did not breakdown, even when I extended the on time to 30 minutes.
    The resistor stopped the led glowing when the relay was off.
    I also tried connecting a wall wart type power supply across the Live and Neutral going to the 240V led bulb. That also took care of the led glow.
    So, am I wasting energy, using these SSRS and curing the problem with 'heaters'?
    Looks like it is more sensible to use mechanical relays for these problem 240V led applications.

  • @GriffandZeus
    @GriffandZeus 5 років тому

    Help. I have started using Smart bulbs in my flat. Living room are fibe. Bedroom one has a double switch (independent switches in 2 locations which turn the power on/off). I had to use a GU10 to E27 adapter. Obviously the power is on, but when I turn it off (via smart app) it very faintly flickers.
    Any ideas? They switches are not dimmer. I hear it might be to do with the load or poor connection at the bulb. Should I replace the pendant to a E27 and do away with the adapter?

    • @bigclivedotcom
      @bigclivedotcom  5 років тому

      It's common for some LED lamps to glow slightly on two way switching due to increased capacitance in the switch wiring. Try a different brand of lamp.

  • @arcadeuk
    @arcadeuk 8 років тому

    Good explanation sir :)

  • @DanielLopez-kt1xt
    @DanielLopez-kt1xt 7 років тому

    I have the same problem with some aliexpress lights, the power supply, when switched off in either live or neutral, can still turn the led slightly on, when the led board has something near, like my hand. I guess it acts like some sort of capacitor, and allows a tiny current to flow, just like thoose screwdrivers that can tell you if the wire has voltage, even without touching it... With thoose ones, i have to use a double switch to cut both live and neutral...

  • @kayamkulam47
    @kayamkulam47 7 років тому

    Hi, Is there any polarity when connection the snubber for an led light, [ I mean the resistor should be connected to the nutral or the capacator should be connected to the nutral ? ].

  • @sootikins
    @sootikins 8 років тому +2

    Home made SS relays with quadracs ("snubberless triacs") for the win! Relay or dimmer applications won't ever notice the missing quadrant, and the leakage is essentially zero.

    • @tcurdt
      @tcurdt 3 роки тому

      Got a link to a schematic for that?

    • @sootikins
      @sootikins 3 роки тому +1

      @@tcurdt Yeah I drew one. It is a very basic but functional SSR, not a dimmer. Lets see if UA-cam lets me post the link:
      eeberfest.net/etc/SSR.jpg
      eeberfest.net/etc/SSR.pdf
      Note that the triac MUST be "snubberless"!!

    • @sootikins
      @sootikins 3 роки тому

      Also if you are using 240VAC you should probably change the 360 ohm resistors to 750 ohm. I've only ever used the circuit (as drawn) on 120V.

    • @sootikins
      @sootikins 3 роки тому +1

      @@tcurdt Additional thought for you: if you wanted to fire the SSR using a GPIO pin on a 5V microcontroller (e.g. Arduino UNO) it would be best to substitute a MOC3063 for the MOC3061 shown and use a 470 ohm resistor in the control circuit. Done like this the SSR can be turned on with 5V ~7mA, well within limits of GPIO. As drawn with the MOC3061 and 120 ohm resistor it needs more like 30mA to turn on.

  • @madinatore
    @madinatore 8 років тому +4

    I think this is the right time to out myself as a wago fanboy, whats your take on them clive?

    • @whorayful
      @whorayful 8 років тому +2

      +madinatore You can never have too many Wago's in your toolbox!

    • @bigclivedotcom
      @bigclivedotcom  8 років тому +4

      +madinatore There's a video dedicated to them. I like them, especially when combined with the Wagobox.

    • @madinatore
      @madinatore 8 років тому

      +bigclivedotcom guess I will dig for that one then!

    • @mostlymessingabout
      @mostlymessingabout 8 років тому

      there are Chinese knockoffs now too if you want to play less for them...

    • @bigclivedotcom
      @bigclivedotcom  8 років тому +2

      +Thanh Tran I'd be very cautious about using a clone Wagon in case the components were not up to the Wago standard.

  • @jesascaniusthusgaard5927
    @jesascaniusthusgaard5927 Рік тому

    Link to the bulbs that light up from the neutral when turned off???

  • @Avantime
    @Avantime 8 років тому

    Ever thought of getting one of those Self-Balancing board/Swegway/Hoverboard thingys and dissect them? Maybe get a cheap broken one on Ebay?

  • @EpicLPer
    @EpicLPer 8 років тому +1

    I have another Problem... I have a LED Strip that just baaaarely glows blue (not even evenly on all LEDs) when it's supposed to be off... Any idea on what could've failed?

    • @bigclivedotcom
      @bigclivedotcom  8 років тому +3

      It sounds like a very low current leakage that is making it light.

    • @krisztianszirtes5414
      @krisztianszirtes5414 8 років тому +2

      drop a 1K resistor over the terminals and it will eat that leaking current

  • @gadget73
    @gadget73 8 років тому

    I have a timer for my outside light. Its one of those pole things with 3 LED lamps in it. It flickers from the leakage through the SSR. Mildly annoying, but I could stop it by screwing in a standard lamp if it bothered me enough.

  • @MustermannAnybody
    @MustermannAnybody 8 років тому

    I wonder if the power draw in the "off state" does increase or decrease if you put an incandescent bulb or resistor in parallel to the LEDs? Naively, I would think that something in parallel could only increase the power draw by decreasing resistance. But if the incandescent bulb reduces the voltage, maybe the LED circuit isn't even able to really start using current? Does someone have experience with this?

  • @NaughtyGoatFarm
    @NaughtyGoatFarm 5 років тому

    Hi Clive. I have this problem with a light in our stairwell. It has a dual switch so that it can be switched on or off from either the top or bottom of the stairs. Very annoying and i really want to fix this without wasting power. I have no dimmer and no relay in this circuit. Just a switch at top and bottom of the stairs.

    • @bigclivedotcom
      @bigclivedotcom  5 років тому

      If it's just a slight glow it's not an issue. It just means that the slight capacitive leakage current that would normally be wasted is producing a small amount of light. With electronically active lamp where it makes them pulse it would be an issue.

  • @relishgargler
    @relishgargler 8 років тому

    I ran into the same thing when I installed one of those lighted "nightlight" style switches in my hallway to control a CFL. There was enough current coming through the light in the switch that every 1.2 seconds the CFL would flash ever so dimly. Took me 3 days to figure out what was going on.

  • @eddylanzboy
    @eddylanzboy 8 років тому

    Can you not have a relay or contactor before the solid state?

  • @CharlesReiche
    @CharlesReiche 8 років тому

    So would a 20A SSR not be good to use with my dust collector that draws 20A peak? 2HP motor.

    • @MrThisIsMeToo
      @MrThisIsMeToo 8 років тому +1

      +Charles Reiche I would never trust and SSR with a large inductive load. I would use a contactor (glorified relay) that has a 2hp or more rating on it. Do not go by the amp rating but only source a contactor rated in HP. Ebay has some good buys on used quality ones. Avoid the Chinese junk.

    • @DjResR
      @DjResR 8 років тому +1

      +Charles Reiche - ABB ESB40.40/230 is a good contactor for that usage. I wouldn't trust SSR on inductive loads either as the voltage spike from collapsing magnetic field in the device can reach several kilovolts in disconnect moment and fry the triac in SSR easily even with the snubber network in parallel (magnetic ballasted fluorescent light uses that effect to light up the tube).

  • @peteroberts7637
    @peteroberts7637 8 років тому

    whats the difference in side an led bulb between a dimable and non dimable lamp

  • @muh1h1
    @muh1h1 8 років тому

    We had this happening with a normal light switch, but it would flash every ~10 minutes. I am guessing it was the ac coupling in the lightswitch and the cabeling (capacitive effects) that caused this. amazing how little power these lamps actually need to give out light!

  • @mrpulsecheck
    @mrpulsecheck 4 роки тому

    So I am not an electrician or far cry knowledge in electronics. My out door lamps has 9w led lights that flicker or glow when turned off. Is this dangerous? I have 2 lamps(both led) sitting outside and simultaneously lights when I turn the switch on.

    • @bigclivedotcom
      @bigclivedotcom  4 роки тому

      Modern LED lamps are so sensitive that it's not uncommon for them to glow slightly when off via the capacitive coupling or circuitry in the wiring and controllers.
      It's not usually anything to be concerned about.

  • @paulsengupta971
    @paulsengupta971 7 років тому

    I have some CFLs which I fitted in my garden and one of them flashes when off - not always the same one, and not as quickly as the Asda light in the video. But I know why they do this - the outdoor switch that I wired them to has a neon indicator across the switch that comes on when the switch is off, leaking some current to the CFLs. The neon in turn only lights because of the load through the CFLs.

  • @hellterminator
    @hellterminator 7 років тому

    That's a very beefy snubber network, it's going to dissipate a lot of heat. Is it really necessary?

  • @MrKenReinhart
    @MrKenReinhart 7 років тому

    great video! but im completely new to this and would like to have a step by step how to install the snubber network? thanks.

  • @parascraps5796
    @parascraps5796 3 роки тому

    Nice video!!! I bought a rope light that has the same issue, the thing is that I have the stuff around the whole yard and it never turns completely off.... What resistor would I add to an led strip (the rope light) that's about 150ft long? I'm estimating 800W and on although I use a dimmer to make it not as bright. since it's an LED strip can I just bridge the positive and negative terminals at the end of it? - t glows without the dimmer as well - Thanks so much!

    • @bigclivedotcom
      @bigclivedotcom  3 роки тому +1

      If it's dimmer/control-leakage then any small tungsten lamp will mute it. But if it's not bothering you then let it glow.

    • @parascraps5796
      @parascraps5796 3 роки тому

      Thanks for the quick reply.
      @@bigclivedotcom but how much current would it be pulling 24/7?

    • @bigclivedotcom
      @bigclivedotcom  3 роки тому

      @@parascraps5796 If it's just snubber leakage then virtually nothing. Literally just a few watts.

  • @shitina.bucket9699
    @shitina.bucket9699 2 роки тому

    love this stuff

  • @Da9eI
    @Da9eI 8 років тому

    Here in Norway we mostly use 2, or 3-fase 230v, and in certain conditions on single pole lights switches theese LED fixtures will continue to glow dim even when off. Only explanation I could find was capacitive leakage through ground... At night the LED lights are bright enough to navigate in "complete" darkness.

  • @xutesan3152
    @xutesan3152 8 років тому

    top video mate

  • @WereCatf
    @WereCatf 8 років тому

    +bigclivedotcom I got a good laugh out of the sudden deterioration in quality of your drawings :D

  • @carlubambi5541
    @carlubambi5541 Рік тому

    There is always a leakage voltage on an SSR .It will allow low voltage low current devices to to stay illuminated .We will switch heater elements through and use a manual motor starter or contractor to disconnect the output going to heaters .Especially at 600V 3 phase heater banks used in commercial ovens .Croydom, Opto,or Carlo Gavazzi they all have the same issues

  • @DJFlyteUK
    @DJFlyteUK 8 років тому

    This happens in my house when I remove one of the two led bulbs from a circuit which is switched on a double switch with another light circuit. Only happens when the other light is lit, so I assumed there was some induction happening in the double switch. Happily, once both bulbs are in the leds don't flicker anymore.

  • @OneBiOzZ
    @OneBiOzZ 8 років тому

    i have a home made power supply, the volt meter flashes on every few minutes even when the mains of the whole unit is switched off with a l/n physical switch
    i take it being caused by capacitive leakage between the contacts

  • @97Giorgos97
    @97Giorgos97 8 років тому

    I have noticed that glowing effect in a couple of led lights hooked up to a dimmer in my house, and thought it was the lights having the problem. Now I know it's the dimmer's snubber network causing the issue :P